NORWICH FIREWORKS
After a year’s absence, the Norwich Harbor will be alive with the sights and sounds of Independence Day fireworks. The 20-minute display, costing some $30,000, is made possible by donations from area businesses, as well as proceeds from a June 12th golf tournament. A lack of funding meant no downtown fireworks for the Fourth last year. Brown Park will have food trucks and novelty vendors on site before and during the 9 p.m. display.
CONNECTICUT BUDGET
Nonprofit social service agencies that rely on state funds are preparing for deep cuts, now that it appears Connecticut won’t have a two-year budget or a temporary budget in place for the new fiscal year. Democratic Governor Dannel Malloy, who wanted the General Assembly to at least pass a proposed three-month mini-budget, is expected to reluctantly sign an executive order that maintains only essential state services. The fiscal year ends at midnight Friday. Lawmakers and the governor have been unable to reach an agreement on a two-year budget that will cover a projected $5 billion deficit.
VOTER COMMISSION
Connecticut’s secretary of the state says her office plans to comply in part with a request for voter information from President Donald Trump’s commission investigating alleged voter fraud in the 2016 election. Denise Merrill says in the spirit of transparency the state will share publicly-available information with the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity. She says the state will ensure the privacy of voters is honored by withholding protected data. Several states, including Massachusetts, have said their voter information is private and will not be shared.
CHILD ABUSE CHARGE
Connecticut State Police say a Norfolk man has been charged with sexually assaulting a 5-year-old child. Police say 26-year-old David Craighill was arrested on a warrant at his home and charged with first-degree sexual assault and illegal sexual contact with a victim under 13. He is being held on $75,000 pending a court appearance.
